Lovelier Than Daylight: The Saddler's Legacy Book 3 By Rosslyn Elliott

I received this book from Thomas Nelson through Booksneeze.com for no charge in exchange for my honest review of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own.


Book Description:

Susanna is a lady of principles who values family above all. Johann seems to represent all she despises . . . but appearances can be deceiving.

In 1875, Susanna Hanby is headed off to college in Westerville, Ohio, when she discovers her sister Rachel and Rachel’s children have disappeared. Susanna suspects that Rachel’s alcoholic husband knows more than he’s saying and she vows to uncover the truth.

Johann Giere is heir to a successful German-American brewery in Columbus, but longs for a career in journalism in New York City. When Johann signs on as the supplier for a new saloon in Westerville, his and Susanna’s paths cross and sparks fly. A fiery temperance crusader, Susanna despises Johann’s profession, but she cannot deny the attraction.

When Susanna learns that Rachel’s children have been indentured to orphanages in the city, she despairs that her family will be fractured forever. But Johann makes Susanna an offer she can’t refuse—pitting her passion and her principles against one another.

If she can find a way for her head and her heart to be in harmony, a future lovelier than daylight awaits her.

Lovelier than Daylight is a story of love and faith based on the Westerville Whiskey War of 1875, a dramatic real historical event featured in the 2011 documentary Prohibition by Ken Burns.


My Thoughts:

Lovelier Than Daylight is the third book in Rosslyn Elliott's series The Saddler's Legacy.  I have had the privilege of reading each of the books in this series.  The series is based on the real Hanby Family and this book is based on the Westerville Whiskey War of 1875.  The stories are fiction but have historically accurate information in them.  I have enjoyed this series from the beginning and Lovelier Than Daylight added to that enjoyment. This is a beautiful story that looks at some intense issues like drinking, domestic abuse, infidelity, and the affects these things have on families especially the children during 1875.  This story grabbed me from the start and held me until the end.  Lovelier Than Daylight is about Susanna Hanby who is staying in Westerville, Ohio to attend college, the college her family has been part of for many, many years. She is staying with her Aunt Ann and Uncle Will, who are characters who have been a part of this series from the start.  On her trip Susanna wants to visit her sister and her children, Susanna finds out that her sister is gone and the children have been put in orphanages.  This book takes readers through the struggles of the Hanby's as they try to keep the children together and with family. Susanna is willing to give up school to take care of these children. 

Lovelier Than Daylight introduces some new characters and reacquaints readers with some old friends.  My favorite characters in this story would have to be Will and Ann Hanby and Johann Giere. The love and strength of these characters have left me with such a good feeling.  Rosslyn Elliott writes a beautiful story about this incredible family and the length someone will go for someone they love.  This story also talks about the good and bad of alcohol and the lengths people will go for what they believe.  I truly enjoyed this book and this series.  I recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction, it does not disappoint.  I am a huge fan of Rosslyn Elliott's and look forward to reading much more from her.